Design Manager (Project Engineer) in Cheshire, Warrington

As a Design Manager / Project Engineer, you’ll be responsible for helping to lead and coordinate the design development of multiple high-value, complex capital projects within United Utilities Enterprise Programme. Working with a Senior Project Engineer you’ll help provide technical and strategic leadership to ensure designs are safe, efficient, innovative, and fully aligned with regulatory, operational, and sustainability goals.

What you’ll do:

• Work collaboratively with the Project Manager (PM) and Senior Design Manager to jointly deliver project outcomes.
• As required, to deputise for the Senior Design Manager / Senior Project Engineer (SPE).
• Contribute to maintaining proactive empathetic relationships to create a healthy, inclusive and diverse team environment.
• Engage with consultants and specialists and work within multi-disciplinary teams across the matrix organisation to deliver designs which are safe to build and operate, delivered to time, cost, carbon and quality drivers.
• Responsible for delivering the project(s) through the asset lifecycle in accordance with approved processes and systems.
• Deliver the project engineering plan from client brief (requirements statement) through to handover.
• Carry out project reviews, recommend / take action as appropriate and report on a monthly basis.
• Responsible for writing project documentation and technical reports.
• Act as a point of contact for technical assurance throughout the lifecycle.
• Contribute to risk management to drive the delivery of opportunities or threat reduction, including adequate escalation of issues outside of your control.
• Embed standardisation into all aspects of the AMP8 project delivery.
• Be the champion for the project within the business and from time to time represent the project externally.
• Positively support the transition of new ways of working across the project community.
• Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience in a project engineering management role, including the ability to integrate input from different technical areas and other departments.
• Proven communication skills with an ability to engage with stakeholders and colleagues to develop solutions to complex problems.
• Proven experience of health, safety and well-being requirements relating to delivery of projects (e.g. CDM Principal Designer or Client roles).
• Degree level Engineering.
• A Chartered or Incorporated Engineer grade or an actively working.
• Experience of adopting innovation, particularly with emerging technologies and/or environmental solutions.

What we offer:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays.
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover.
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements.
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme.

At UU, we champion flexible ways of working. In-person attendance is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

About United Utilities: United Utilities’ (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.